Back to Basics: 8 Places To Shop for Plus Size Underwear

Plus size underwear is available from brands such as Torrid, Lane Bryant and TomboyX

When shopping for underwear, plus size consumers have more options than ever before. From high waist briefs and boyshorts to thongs and hipsters, plus size underwear frequently comes in the same range of styles as straight sizes. However, finding what you like if you're plus size isn’t always an easy feat.

As a plus size woman, when I discover a new panty, I often grab it in multiple colors because I don't know if I'll see it again! Fortunately, online shopping helps that feeling of scarcity. And finding underwear that is breathable, supportive and doesn't roll down under the belly often makes high-waisted styles a favorite.

Fitting for plus size underwear isn’t quite as complicated as for plus size bras, but it’s still important to know the difference between various cuts, styles and fabrics. The amount of stretch in the fabric contributes greatly to comfort. I suggest paying attention to where the underwear hits on the model. The belly button always serves as my reference point for low-rise, mid-rise or high-waisted cuts. Plus size lingerie reviews are also a great help in this area.

I created this list of where to shop for plus size underwear based on my own reviews and comments from an informal poll I took. It's far from exhaustive, but it's a good starting point!

1. Avenue

Underwear styles from Avenue

Avenue boosts an impressive online variety of panties that can also be found in stores. From cheeky lace panties to high-waisted cotton briefs with fun patterns, styles go up to size 32.

2. Cacique by Lane Bryant

Various styles from Cacique by Lane Bryant

Cacique by Lane Bryant is by far the most popular underwear option among plus size babes. They carry sexy styles with cut-outs and ruffles, but also make basic cotton briefs that many swear by. Sizes start at 10/12 and extend through 26/28.

3. City Chic

City Chic panty styles

Australian-based brand, City Chic, is known for sexy lingerie up to a size 24. Their underwear often has a matching bra. And City Chic's thongs feature full coverage in the front for a comfortable way to wear a style that often comes with an uncomfortable reputation.

4. Curvy Couture

Curvy Couture's classic styles

Curvy Couture doesn’t offer a huge variety of panty styles, but their hipster and boyshort styles are made very well. Like their bras, Curvy Couture's underwear is comfortable, breathable and durable. Personally, I swear by their essential boyshort. Sizing ranges from 14-24.

5. Fit for Me by Fruit of The Loom

Fit For Me is Fruit of the Loom's Plus Size focused brand

Fit for Me by Fruit of The Loom takes the underwear essentials everyone knows and puts a plus size focus on it. Partnering with popular plus size bloggers, and even showing on the Full Figured Fashion Week runway, Fit for Me brings an everyday product into mainstream plus size fashion. Find their hi-cuts, briefs and hipsters in sizes 9-13 (the equivalent of sizes 16W-32W).

6. Hanesbrands

HanesBrands includes Bali, Just My Size, Maidenform and Playtex

The HanesBrands umbrella contains multiple brands serving plus size customers: Hanes, Bali, Just My Size, Maidenform and Playtex. You can shop them all on one convenient site and filter by style, color and size, which extends up to a 14 or 7X, available across brands.

7. TomboyX

TomboyX offers gender neutral briefs and shorts

If you’re looking for masculine-of-center underwear designed for all genders then Tomboyx is the brand for you. Their cotton briefs, hipsters, and Tomboy shorts go up to size 4X and are available in a variety of lengths and prints. I personally love the soft weightlessness of their MicroModal underwear.

8. Torrid

Torrid's sexy underwear styles

In sheer, trend-driven sexiness, Torrid is hard to beat in the plus size panty department. I remember getting caged panties from Torrid right as that style was first taking off. They continue to come out with new collections combining sexy and functional. Panties can be found through a 6X.

Where do you like to shop online for underwear? Which styles are your favorite? Do your prioritize how panties feel or how they look?

Alysse Dalessandro

Comment on this post

As an Aussie it’s been good to see the offerings from City Chic improve over the last few years. I particularly like being able to buy a matching set occasionally! There’s Playful Promises for more interesting pairs of course, but to be honest quite a few of my every day pairs are from Marks & Spencer! They are comfy, hard wearing and easy to care for whilst also being more than basic.